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Happy Father’s Day. We honor, commemorate, and celebrate the fathers in our lives.

Today also marks Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

We celebrate the emancipation of Black Americans and the ongoing efforts to create equity and justice.

BPHA Caucus Flag-raising Ceremony

Today in Harlem, at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, State Senator Cleare and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages hosted a flag-raising ceremony to commemorate Black Americans' history, power, and resilience.

Governor Hochul Issues Proclamation

for Juneteenth Observance

“As we mark the Juneteenth holiday, we commemorate the abolishment of slavery and acknowledge the hard-fought journey towards freedom for African Americans. While the work continues, it is important to acknowledge how far we have come as we celebrate freedom and strive for racial justice. I want to thank Governor Hochul for recognizing and celebrating the Juneteenth holiday in New York State,” stated Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages.

LINK: Governor Hochul Issues Proclamation for Juneteenth Observance

Juneteenth & Black Liberation Flags Across New York State

The Black Liberation Flag is a marker of freedom, pride, and the political power of Black Americans.

Red stood for blood — both the blood shed by Africans who died in their fight for liberation and the shared blood of the African people. Black represented black people, and green was a symbol of growth and the natural fertility of Africa.

On Sunday, June 19, and the observed holiday, Monday, June 20, the Black Liberation Flag will fly over the New York State Capitol and the following State buildings:

• Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, Harlem

• Eleanor Roosevelt State Office Building, Poughkeepsie

• Hudson Valley Transportation Management Center, Hawthorne

• Perry B Duryea State Office Building, Hauppauge

• Empire State Plaza, Albany

• Alfred E Smith State Office Building, Albany

• Executive Mansion, Albany

• Harriman State Office Building Campus, Building 18, Albany

• Binghamton State Office Building

• Dulles State Office Building, Watertown

• Henderson-Smith State Office Building, Hornell

• Homer Folks Facility, Oneonta

• Senator John H. Hughes State Office Building, Syracuse

• Utica State Office Building

• New York State Preparedness Training Center, Oriskany

In addition, several state landmarks will be illuminated red, black, and green on Sunday, June 19, in celebration of Juneteenth:

• One World Trade Center

• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

• Kosciuszko Bridge

• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building

• State Education Building

• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building

• Empire State Plaza

• State Fairgrounds - Main Gate & Expo Center

• Niagara Falls

• The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge

• Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct

• Albany International Airport Gateway

• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal